Newman, Alfred Alvarez

English metal-worker and art-collector; born in London 1851; died there 1887. He revived the blacksmith's art in its medieval phases and was the founder of the Old English smithy in Archer street, Haymarket,London. Being a craftsman of considerable talent, Newman succeeded in the course of four years, by his taste and energy, in promoting art ironwork in England, the picturesque arrangement of his smithy rendering it during the London season a place of fashionable resort. He was the author of several papers communicated to the Society of Architects and similar bodies.

Newman's interests included Anglo-Jewish history and archeology; he possessed a unique collection of Jewish prints and tracts bearing on these subjects, many of which were exhibited at the Anglo-Jewish Historical Exhibition after his death. It was due largely to Newman's efforts that the proposal to demolish the ancient synagogue of Bevis Marks was eventually defeated.

Bibliography:

  * The Times (London), Jan. 27, 1887;
  * Jew. Chron. and Jew. World, Jan. 28, 1887;
  * Cat. Anglo-Jew. Hist. Exh. 1887.



J. G. L.